Report: Grizzlies sign Noah to 1-year deal
The veteran was released by the Knicks in October
UCF and Memphis football meet for the fourth time in two years and the second straight time in the AAC championship game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
The most important thing for Memphis? A win would give the Tigers their first outright AAC football championship and their first outright conference title since 1969 and end UCF’s 24-game winning streak.
The Grizzlies have signed Joakim Noah to a one-year deal, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Noah was released by the Knicks in October. He signed with the Grizzlies for the veteran's minimum.
It also would mean Memphis finally beat the one AAC team it has yet to conquer. The Tigers’ fourgame winning streak is also on the line so here is what to watch for in Orlando:
Memphis hasn’t just lost to UCF 12 straight times — last year’s AAC championship game loss kept the Tigers from reaching a New Year’s Six bowl game.
A Memphis win on Saturday would keep UCF from getting an automatic New Year’s Six berth.
Memphis ran for 281 yards against UCF in October but only 59 came after halftime. UCF will be committed to not let Darrell Henderson go off like he did, rushing for 199 yards.
The Tigers have done a better job balancing the running load with Patrick Taylor Jr. and Tony
The 11-year NBA veteran averaged 5.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in his first season with the Knicks before suffering a season-ending knee injury in February 2017.
He was also suspended for 20 games 40-13 (L) 37-17 (L) 26-24 (L)
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in March of that same season after violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, and had surgery on his shoulder that April.
In January 2018, Noah left the Knicks for "personal reasons," according to ESPN.com's Ian Begley and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Noah did not play another game for New York.
It was reported two weeks ago that the Grizzlies had expressed interest in the 33-year-old center.
Noah averaged 12.6 points and 11.3 rebounds during the 2013-2014 season with the Bulls.
Pollard, but they will also need quarterback Brady White to stretch the defense a bit more.
If Memphis can continue to get production in the pass game from Joey Magnifico and Damonte Coxie, who should be healthier this week, it will open things up for the run game.
Who is new UCF quarterback?
Darriel Mack Jr. is now the starter after a gruesome injury to McKenzie Milton. The redshirt freshman adds another threat to the running game along with Knights’ leading rushers Greg McCrae and Adrian Killins.
The good news is the Tigers created a great pass rush in October by sacking Milton four times.
If they can do it again and limit Mack’s scrambling ability, that will be a good sign.
Don’t give up the big play
Memphis gave up two plays of 70 or more yards in October to UCF and six plays of 40 or more yards to Missouri. Since then?
The Tigers have only given up four 40-yard plays in their last four games.
Defensive back TJ Carter said the biggest difference in the defense since the bye week? Effort. It was there in the first half against UCF this season and it needs to be again Saturday. Maybe somebody will remind the Tigers they forced four turnovers in last year’s AAC title game.
Own the football
Turnovers have hurt Memphis against UCF the last two years. Last year’s AAC championship game ended on an interception by Riley Ferguson, and in October, a fourth-quarter fumble led to UCF’s go-ahead scoring drive.
White can’t afford a repeat of his last two games where he threw two interceptions against SMU and Houston.
UCF is ranked second in the nation in turnover margin so Memphis must protect the ball.